tucker



(No Model.) 3Sheets-Sheet 1.

S. 1).TUGKER.

v DELIVERY APPARATUS FOR PRINTING MACHINES. No. 324,967. Patented ug. 25, 1885.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

S. D. TUCKER. DELIVERY APPARATUS FOR PRINTING MACHINES. No. 3%4,967.

Patented Aug. 25, 1885.

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' S. D. TUCKER.

DELIVERY APPARATUS FOR PRINTING MACHINES.

Patented Aug. 25, 1885.

v4. PETERS. Paolo-Lilhogmphur, Wanhinglnn, 0.1;

UiTEn STATES STEPHEN D. TUCKER,

PATENT OFFICE.

on NEW YORK, N. Y.

DELIVERY APPARATUS FOR PRINTING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 324,967, dated August 25,1885.

Application filed March 7, 1885.

To all whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that I, STEPHEN D. TUCKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Delivery Apparatus for Printing-Machines, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to the delivery of the sheets issuing from a web printing and severing mechanism, and particularly to that method of delivery in which two or more of the su ccessively-produced sheets are associated together to form the product, and in which the product thus formed has imparted to it one or more folds before it arrives at the laying or piling mechanism.

The invention consists in certain details of construction and in certain novel combina tions of mechanisms, all of which will behere inafter so fully explained in detail as to ren der any preliminary description unnecessary to a proper understanding of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a plan view of a mechanism embodying the invention in a suitable form for associating the sheets in pairs and imparting two folds to each pair, the first of said folds being a longitudinal fold,or one parallel with the travel of the sheets, and the second fold at right angles to the first. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the same, taken upon the line a: 00 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation of the same, taken upon the line y y of the same figure, looking toward the left.

Referring to said figures, it is to be understood that 49 represent the usual cuttingcylinders, between which the web 51 is led after it has been perfected by any ordinary form of web-printing mechanism. These cylinders are provided with the usual blade, 2, and cooperating groove 3, the blade being constructed and arranged in the usual manner, so as to nearly but not wholly sever the web upon the margins between the printed pages.

Located just in advance of the cutting-cylinders 49 50 are a pair of rolls, 52 53, from which extend the usual series of accelerated (No model.)

tapes, 4 5, by which the severance of the sheets from the web is completed, and the sheets separated from each other so as to provide suitable working-spaces between them in their line of travel. These tapes also, as shown in the present case, form a part of the mechanism for conveying the sheets into position to be associated by the mechanism which imparts the first fold.

The arrangement of the tapes 4 5 is as fol lows: The tapes 4 pass around the roll 52, thence around the parting-roll 40, and beneath a roll, 41, thence forward beneath asec 0nd roll, 42, and above a pair of folding-rolls, 29 30, arranged parallel with the tapes, thence backward around a roll, 43, returning around a stretching-roll, 44. The tapes 5 pass around the roll 53, thence above the parting-roll 40, and around the roll 41, thence upward around a roll, 45, and beneath a roll, 46, thence above a second roll, 47, and around a roll, 48, returning around a stretehingroll, 39.

(lo-operating with the tapes 4 5, to convey the sheets severed from the web 51 into position to be associated by the mechanism which imparts the first fold, are four series of sup plemental tapes, 6 7 8 9, and four series of sta tionary guides, 20 21 22 23, which are arranged as follows: The tapes 6 pass around the roll 42, thence above a roll, 24, located in advance of the roll 42 and slightly above the tapes 4, and thence around a roll, 25, returning around astretehing-roll, 26. The tapes 7 pass around the roll 24, thence beneath the roll 25, and forward above the folding-rolls 29 30, and beneath a roll, 27, returning around a stretching-roll, 28. The tapes 8 pass around a roll, 33, located between and slightly above the rolls 41 42, thence upward around the roll 45 and beneath the roll 46, thence forward above a pair of folding-rolls, 31 32, arranged parallel with the tapes, and around a roll, 34, returning around a stretching-roll, 35. The tapes 9 pass around the roll 47 and beneath the roll 48, thence forward above the folding-rolls 31 32 and beneath a roll, 36, returning around a stretching-roll, 37. The guides 20 21 cooperate, respectively, with the tapes 4 7, and extend from the rolls 24 25 to or nearly to the ends of the folding-rolls 29 30, they being supported upon bars 18 19,extending transversely of the machine. The guides 22 23 co operate, respectively, with the tapes 8 9, and extend from the rolls 47 48 to or nearly to the ends of the folding-rolls 31 32, they being supported upon bars 16 17, extending transversely of the machine.

The system of tapes and guides just described forms the following channels or pathways for the sheets: First, there is the main channel or pathway leading from the cuttingcylinders to the parting-roll second, there are two principal branch channels or pathways, one, formcd by the tapes 4 and guides 20, leading from the parting-roll 40 directly to the folding-rolls 29 30, and the other, formed by the tapes 5 8 and guides 22, leading from the partingroll 40 to the folding-rolls 31 32; and, third, there are two auxiliary branch channels or pathways, one, formed by the tapes 6 7 and guides 21, leading from the roll 42 to the folding-rolls 29 30 above the guides 20, and the other, formed by the tapes 5 9 and guides 23, leading from the roll 46 to the folding-rolls 31 32 above the guides 22. The purpose of these several channels or pathways will appear when the operation of the mechanism is explained.

Just in advance of the roll 41 there is lo cated an ordinary switch, 54, the shaft of which is provided with an arm, 38, which is connected to a rod, 55, having a stud or bowl, 10, which is acted upon by a rotating cam, 56, in such manner as to oscillate the switch 54 and direct the sheets from the main pathway into the two principal branch pathways alternately. As shown in the present case, the cam 56 is so timed as to direct two sheets into each of the principal branch pathways alternately.

Just in advance of the rolls 42 46 there are located a pair of ordinary switches, 57 58, the shafts of which are provided with arms 59 60, which are connected to rods 61 62, having studs or bowls 11 12, which are acted upon by rotating cams 63 64 in such manner as to oscillate the switches 57 58 and direct certain of the sheets from the principal branch pathways into the auxiliary branch pathways. As shown in the present case, the cams 63 64 are so timed that one sheet of each pair directed from the main pathway into each of the principal branch, pathways will be directed by the switches 57 58 into the auxiliary branch pathways. As shown in the present case, the studs 10 11 12 are acted upon by the peripheries of the cams 56,63 64, so that the rods 61 62 and switches 54 57 58 are moved in but one direction by the earns, the return movement of the rods and switches being effected by "springs 65 66 67, which act to hold the studs 10 11 12 onto the peripheries of the cams. The cams 56 63 64 may, however, be grooved cams, in which case the springs would be dispensed with.

The pairs of folding-rolls 29 30 and 31 32 are provided with cooperating folding-blades 68 69, which are arranged to vibrate to and from the bite of the rolls in the usual manner.

The mechanism for operating the foldingblades 68 69 is not shown in the drawings, because such mechanism is so well understood in the art as to render illustration unnecessary. The folding-blades themselves are also omitted from Fig. 1, in order that the underlying parts may be more fully exposed.

The operation of the mechanism thus far described is as follows: The web 51, having been perfected and partially severed upon the lines between its printed pages, as already stated, will pass forward between the tapes 4 5 until its leading end arrives at the partingroll 40,when it will be nipped by the tapes and accelerated so as to complete the severance of the first sheet from the web and provide a suitable working space between it and the following sheet, and this will be repeated as the leading end of each sheet arrives at the parting-roll. The parts will be so timed that as the leading end of the first sheet arrives at the roll 41 the switch 54 will be in position to direct this sheet,and also the second sheet, upward into the principal branch pathway formed by the tapes 5 8 and the guides 22. As the leading end of the first sheet arrives at the roll 46 the switch 58 will be in position to direct this sheet into the auxiliary branch pathway formed by the tapes 5 9 and the guides 23, so that it will pass forward upon the tapes 9 and beneath the guides 23 until it is arrested by the stop 70, directly above the folding-rolls 31 32. As the leading end of the second sheet arrives at the roll 46 the switch 58 will be shifted so as to allow this sheet to pass forward in the pathway upon the tapes 8 and beneath the guides 22 until it also is arrested by the stop 70, directly above the folding-rolls and beneath the first sheet. After the second sheet has been arrested, as just stated, the foldingblade 69 will be operated so as to fold the two sheets together into the bite of the rolls 31 32, as shown in Fig. 3, thus causing the two sheets to be associated in the act of folding. As the leading end of the third sheet arrives at the roll 41 the switch 54 will be shifted so as to direct this sheet, and also the fourth sheet under the switch, into the principal branch pathway formed by the tapes 4 and the guides 20. As the leading end of the third sheet, or the first sheet directedinto this pathway, arrives at the roll 42 the switch 57 will be in position to direct this sheet into the auxiliary branch pathway formed by the tapes 6 7 and the guides 21, so that it will pass forward upon the tapes 7 and beneath the guides 21 until it is arrested by the stop 71,

directly above the folding-rolls 29 30, as shown 5these two sheets to be associated in the act of folding, the same as the two which were arrested above the rolls 31 32. As the leading end of the fifth sheet arrives at the roll 41 the switch 54 will be shifted back to its original position, and the operation will be repeated.

The pairs of associated sheets, after being folded between the rolls 29 30 and 31 32, as already described, may be directed to a fly or flies or other suitable final delivery mechanism, and be piled without further folding. It will usually, however, be desirable to impart one or more additional folds to the pairs of sheets before they are delivered from the machine. For this purpose any suitable folding mechanism may be provided. As shown in the present case, this mechanism consists of a pair of folding-rolls, 87 88, which are arranged at right angles to the rolls 29 30 and 31 32, and are provided with two ordinary vibrating v folding-blades, (not shown,) which are arranged to co operate with the rolls in the usual manner.

To convey the pairs of sheets from the fold ing-rolls 29 30 and 31 32, and present them in proper position to be folded by the rolls 87 88, there are provided four series of tapes, 72 73 74 75, which are arranged as fol lows: The tapes 72 pass around the roll 31, thence outward and downward around rolls 76 77, and inward above the folding-rolls 87 SS, and around pulleys 78, located at or about the middle of said rolls, thence outward around pulleys 79, returning around a stretching-roll, 80. The tapes 73 pass around the roll 32, thence downward and outward around the rolls 76 77, and inward above the foldingrolls 87 88, and around a roll, 81., returning around a stretching-roll, 82. The tapes 74 pass around the roll 29, thence downward around a roll, 83, and outward above the folding-rolls 87 88, and around a series of pulleys, S4, returning around stretching-pulleys 85. The tapes pass around the roll 30, thence downward around the roll 83, and outward above the folding-rolls 87 8S, returning around a stretching-roll, 86.

The operation of this part of the mechanism is as follows: The pair of sheets folded between the rolls 31 32, as already described, will pass into the control of the tapes 72 73, and be conveyed outward and downward, and then inward above the folding-rolls S7 S8 until they are brought to rest against the stop 14, in position to be folded. The pair of sheets folded between the rolls 29 30 Will pass into the control of the tapes 74 75, and be conveyed downward and then outward above the foldiiigrolls 87 88 until they are brought to rest against the stop 13, in position to be folded. As the pairs of sheets are arrested above the rolls in this manner,they will be folded between the rolls, thus receiving a second fold at right angles to their first, after which they will pass to afiy to be piled or to other mechanism to be further folded. The tapes which convey the sheets from the rolls 29 30 and 31 32 to the rolls 87 88 will preferably be so arranged, as shown in the present case, that the pairs of sheets from both the former pairs of rolls will arrive in position to be folded between the latter pair of rolls simultaneously, so that the blades for folding both pairs of sheets can operate together, and both pairs be delivered to the same fly or other piling mechanism.

If it should be desired that the sheets of each pair which are associated should be pasted together, it may readily be accomplished by means of a'suitable pasting mechanism arranged to apply a line' of paste along the fold-line of one of the sheets of each pair. Such a mechanism is illustrated in the present case, and consists of a disk, 39, which is mounted so as to revolve in a paste'fountain, 90, and is located in such position as to apply paste along the fold-line upon the under side of certain of the sheets as they are conveyed from the cutting-cylinder to the part ing-roll 40. As the line of paste should be applied to only one of each pair of sheets, it is necessary that the other one of each pair should be kept out of contact with the pastedisk 89 during its passage from the cuttingcylinders to the parting-roll. To effect this the disk 89 is arranged in such position that its edge will be slightly below the tapes 4 5, so that when the sheets are conveyed by the tapes without being acted upon by other devices they will pass the disk without receiving paste. In order, however, that one sheet of each pair shall receive paste, there is provided a vibrating forked finger, 91, which lies directly above the disk 89, and is mounted upon a rockshaft, 92, having a rockarm, 93, to which is connected a rod, 94, having a stud or bowl, 15, which rests upon the periphery of a revolving cam, 95, which is so timed in its movements as to rock the shaft 92 and hold the finger 91 depressed slightly below the tapes 4 during the time each alternate sheet (the advance one of each pair) is passing above the disk 89. The rod 94 is provided with a spring, 96, by which the shaft 92 and finger 91 are moved in the opposite direction. The cam 95 may, however, be a grooved cam, in which case the shaft and finger will be moved positively in both directions. By this means one sheet of each pair is presseddownward, so as to be brought into contact with the disk 89 and re ceive a line of paste along the fold-line upon its under side, so that when it and the following sheet are associated in the act of folding they will be pasted together.

If, as sometimes happens, the paper used is of poor quality, or is thin and unsized, the moisture from the paste will immediately strike through it, so as to ncake it very weak along the line of paste, and as this line exactly cor responds to the fold-line, and as the sheet stroke of the blade is liable to tear and break the-paper. To obviate this the edge of the disk 89 is interrupted or cut away in places, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the line of paste applied to the sheets, instead of being continuous, is broken, or consists of a series of spots, thus leaving the intermediate spaces dry and of full strength, and theedges of the foldingblades 68 69 are in like manner interrupted or cut away in places, so that in the act of folding the edges of the blades only come into con; tact with those portions of the sheet to which no paste has been applied, thus avoiding all danger of tearing through the sheets and smearing the blades with paste.

It will be observed that the disk 89 is located at such a distance from the parting-roll that the rear end of the sheet will have passed the disk before its advance end arrives at the parting-roll, and consequently before the sheet becomes accelerated, so as to be dragged across the disk. The disk 89 is positively driven, and is so timed with relation to the sheets that the spots of paste in the line will always be applied in the same position upon the sheet, and thus be caused to correspond with the cutaway portions of the folding-blades.

The various parts of the mechanism just described are supported upon a suitable framework and are connected by suitable gearing, only a part of which is shown, so as to be driven in proper relation to each other. Suitable frame-work and gearing for these purposes can, however, be supplied by any ordinarily-skillful mechanic, and consequently need not be particularly described.

In conclusion, it is to be remarked that the mechanism herein described may be varied greatly as to many of its details without departing from the essential features of the invention. The mechanism for imparting the second fold to the pairs of sheets may be of a different character from that shown, or, as before stated, may be omitted altogether. The folding-blades 68 69 may be of the rotary instead of the vibratory form, and the various series of tapes, &c., which form the pathways through which the sheets pass from the cutting-cylinders to the folding-rolls may be arrangedin a different manner from that shown, so long as the general arrangement of pathways is preserved. In most or all cases pulleys may be used instead of rolls for supporting and guiding the tapes in their travel. Tapes may be used in place of the guides 20 21, or guides may be used, if preferred, in place of some portions of the various series of tapes.

The positions of the pasting-disk 89 and the finger 91 may be reversed-that is to say, the disk may be arranged to applya line of paste to the upper side of the sheets and the finger arranged to act upon the under side. In such case the parts would be so timed that the sheets receiving the lines of paste would be directed beneath the switches 57 58, or, if it is not desired that the sheets should be united, the pasting apparatus may be omitted altogether.

If it should be desired that the first fold imparted to the associated pairs of sheets should be a transverse instead of a longitudinal fold, then the rolls for imparting the first fold will be arranged at right angles to instead of parallel with the travel of the sheets.

Although the mechanism herein shown is only capable of associating pairs of sheets, yet it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to a mechanism which associates this particular number of sheets, as by simply increasing the number of the auxiliary branch pathways and properly timing the parts three or more sheets may be associated and folded together.

The combination herein shown, of the pasting-disk having the interrupted edge with a folding-blade having a correspondingly-interrupted edge, will also be found of particular advantage in those cases where it is desired to apply a line of paste to a sheet upon the foldline and upon the side of the sheet upon which the blade acts, as in the machine shown in the application of Ernst Nordblom, filed February 27, 1885, Serial No. 157,184.

What I claim is 1. The combination, with the two pairs of folding-rolls 29 30 and 31 32 and their co operating folding-blades, of the main sheet-conducting pathway in which all of the sheets are advanced, the two principal branch pathways leading therefrom to the two pairs of foldingrolls, the two auxiliary branch pathwaysleading from the principal branch pathways and to the same folding-rolls, switches, as 54 57 58, for directing the sheets into the several pathways in the proper order, and the stops 71, all substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a folding-blade, as 68 or 69, having an interrupted edge, of a pasting-disk having a similarly-formed edge, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 'my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

STEPHEN D. TUCKER.

Witnesses:

CHAS. W. CARPENTER, P. E. ALLIOT.

IIO 

